All such communications were eagerly seized by Carrie, and fully discussed in the presence of Durward, who gradually received the impression that ’Lena was a flirt, a species of womankind which he held in great abhorrence.  Just before he left New Haven, he received a letter from his stepfather, requesting him to stop for a day or two at Captain Atherton’s, where he would join him, as he wished to look at a country-seat near Mr. Livingstone’s, which was now for sale.  This plan gave immense satisfaction to Carrie, and when her brother proposed that Durward should stop at their father’s instead of the captain’s, she seconded the invitation so warmly, that Durward finally consented, and word was immediately sent to Mrs. Livingstone to hold herself in readiness to receive Mr. Bellmont.

“Oh, I do hope your father will secure Woodlawn,” said Carrie, as in the parlor of the Burnett House, Cincinnati, they were discussing the projected purchase.

The other young ladies had gone out shopping, and John Jr., who was present, and who felt just like teasing his sister, replied, “What do you care?  Mrs. Graham has no daughters, and she won’t fancy such a chit as you, so it must be Durward’s society that you so much desire, bit I can assure you that your nose will be broken when once he sees our ’Lena.”

Carrie turned toward the window to hide her wrath at this speech, while Durward asked if “Miss Rivers were so very handsome?”

“Handsome!” repeated John.  “That don’t begin to express it. Cad is what I call handsome, but ’Lena is beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful—­now you have it superlatively.  Such complexion—­such eyes—­such hair—­I’ll be hanged if I haven’t been more than half in love with her myself.”

“I really begin to tremble,” said Durward, laughingly while Carrie rejoined, “You’ve only to make the slightest advance, and your love will be returned ten-fold, for ’Lena is very susceptible, and already encourages several admirers.”

“There, my fair sister, you are slightly mistaken,” interrupted John Jr., who was going on farther in his remarks, when Durward asked if “she ever left any marks of her affection,” referring to the scratch she had given Carrie; who, before her brother had time to speak, replied that “the will and the claws remained the same, though common decency kept them hidden when it was necessary.”

“That’s downright slander,” said John Jr., determined now upon defending his cousin, “’Lena has a high temper, I acknowledge, but she tries hard to govern it, and for nearly two years I’ve not seen her angry once, though she’s had every provocation under heaven.”

“She knows when and where to be amiable,” retorted Carrie.  “Any one of her admirers would tell the same story with yourself.”

At this juncture John Jr. was called for a moment from the room, and Carrie, fearing she had said too much, immediately apologized to Durward, saying, “it was not often that she allowed herself to speak against her cousin, and that she should not have done so now, were not John so much blinded, that her mother, knowing Lena’s ambitious nature, sometimes seriously feared the consequence.  I know,” said she, “that John fancies Nellie, but ’Lena’s influence over him is very great.”